Delegates Urge Broader Participation of Civil Society, Greater Collaboration with Peacebuilding Commission as Guidance for Effective Action
Today's peace, security and development challenges, which have eroded peoples' trust in the United Nations and State institutions, require peace and decision-making processes that meaningfully engage women and youth, respect human rights and international normative frameworks, and harness data and technology to counter those challenges, delegates told the Security Council today during an open debate on future-proofing trust to sustain peace.
Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, briefing the Council via videoconference from Nairobi, said: "Full compliance with human rights is the best antidote to the inequalities, unaddressed grievances and exclusion, which are often at the root of instability and conflict." People trust the authorities when they can be relied upon to advance their economic, social, civil, political and cultural freedoms, their right to development, and to deliver justice.
Early warning signals to the crisis in Haiti pointed persistently to the destructive impact of inequalities, corruption and exclusion on trust and stability, he said, stressing the need for a time-bound and human-rights-compliant support force for Haiti's institutions. Drawing attention to the full-blown conflict in Sudan, he underscored that human rights, an end to impunity, and peoples' participation, particularly of women and youth, must be the driving forces out of the current crisis.
Cynthia Chigwenya, the African Union's Youth Ambassador for Peace for Southern African, emphasized that young people should be co-creators of the international agenda. However, their participation in formal peacebuilding is impaired by limited financial resources for youth initiatives and weak organizational and technical capacities, among others. Perceptions of youth as "inexperienced" or "instigators of violence" also hinder intergenerational collaboration, she pointed out, suggesting a review of how inclusion and investing in youth networks in decision-making processes are operationalized.
'Funmi Olonisakin, Vice-President and Professor of Security, Leadership and Development at King's College in London, said that while it is known that scientific and technological advances will be critical drivers of war and peace in the future, it is unknown how evolutions in this area will change human agency. As such, connecting scientific breakthroughs with those who will govern the world in 2050 and studying the way in which such individuals organize, build communities and solve problems is of vital importance.
During the open debate, more than 60 ministers, observers and representatives shared ideas on how the Council and wider United Nations system can strengthen their approaches to building trust for sustainable peace, particularly with respect to inclusion, normative frameworks, and use of data and technology. Delegates echoed calls for broader participation of civil society, as well as strengthened collaboration with the Peacebuilding Commission and regional organizations, and highlighted the Secretary-General's forthcoming proposal for a New Agenda for Peace as guidance for effective action.
Ignazio Cassis, Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs for Switzerland, Council President for the month, speaking in his national capacity, said the 15-member organ must consider ways to strengthen the foundations of a broader peace architecture, which is inclusive and must include those whom the population has designated as democratically legitimate. "An imposed peace is not a sustainable peace," he stressed, underscoring the need to ensure the application of a common and respected normative framework, based on human rights and international law.
Omar Bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications of the United Arab Emirates, pointed out that future generations often do not have a voice in policy discussions, although every decision made will impact the world they inherit, and encouraged the participation of women and youth in decision-making and trust-building. Underscoring the importance of addressing hate speech, racism and other manifestations of extremism, he also encouraged Council members to address the use and governance of new technological tools, which could provide accurate and reliable data to counter narratives of intolerance and hate.
Akimoto Masatoshi, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, said the Council should work towards mainstreaming the women, peace and security and youth, peace and security agendas. It should also deepen discussions on the rule of law, human security, protection of human rights, and conflict prevention, and reflect the outcomes of those discussions in the mandates of peace operations. Moreover, the Council, by fully utilizing the Peacebuilding Commission's advice, will strengthen the functioning of the whole United Nations.
The representative of the United States, on that note, said Council members can contribute to sustaining peace through a more ambitious and structured collaboration with the Peacebuilding Commission, voicing strong support for expanding its role in regional settings and on cross-cutting issues, including human rights and climate-related peace and security risks. This includes leveraging the Commission's convening power in its advisory role to the Council to make peacebuilding activities integrated, coordinated and responsive to current dynamics, he added.
Brazil's representative, in a similar vein, called for more frequent exchanges between the Council and the Commission. The latter should be overseeing the transition process from conflict to development. This would allow the Council to dedicate its attention and resources to threats or breaches of international peace and security. Underscoring the need for subregional cooperation, he said stronger partnerships with international financial institutions could help mobilize resources.
Indonesia's representative emphasized that there must be adequate support and predictable and sustainable financing for the United Nations to successfully carry out its work, calling on States to broaden funding sources including through partnerships with the private sector and South-South and triangular cooperation. The process of dialogue, cooperation and consensus-building of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has become a prominent feature in its strategy, which has seen numerous regional frameworks to build norms and strengthen the regional peace architecture, he pointed out, stressing that "trust begins at home in our region".
Fatima Kyari Mohammed, Permanent Observer for the African Union, said the bloc has deployed technical teams to several African countries, at their request, to assist with demobilization, disarmament and reintegration, as well as security reform, processes. The bloc continues to set firm legal frameworks to end the era of unconstitutional changes of Government and has deployed technical teams to certain member States to assist with constitutionalism and good governance and bring local and national institutions closer to the ordinary citizen, thereby restoring lost trust between them.
Slovenia's representative, joining other speakers, highlighted the role of women, youth, marginalized groups and civil society in peacebuilding to create an inclusive environment. Empowered young people could become critical agents of change and drivers of peace in conflict prevention and social cohesion. By raising the bar on women's political leadership through its history, Slovenia became the seventh most peaceful country in the world.
Liechtenstein's representative, in that regard, emphasized that stakeholders must not only be represented at the table but must also see their engagement reflected in resulting documents, processes and missions. Drawing attention to the conflict in Sudan and the lack of accountability for the aggression against Ukraine in 2014, he said the Commission should enjoy a significantly enhanced role in future efforts related to transitional justice.
Chile's representative said "trust oils the wheels of relations throughout society", particularly relevant against the backdrop of conflict. Building sustainable and lasting peace is possible only with the participation of civil society at all stages of conflict resolution, he said, adding that the Council and decision-makers in Member States can better understand situations if they consider historically marginalized groups' positions related to peace and security.
New Zealand's representative, also speaking for Canada and Australia, said that all three countries are promoting the participation of their diverse peoples in their own political and peace processes, especially so for First Nations and Indigenous persons, urging the Council and the wider United Nations system to do the same. Echoing other speakers, she said that, to future-proof peace, the United Nations must adapt its practices, including through the use of data, science and technology. Tools and partnerships, such as the Department of Political Affairs Innovation Hub, can better equip the Council to meet evolving challenges, she added.
The Head of Delegation of the European Union, in its capacity as observer, in a similar vein, spotlighted the creation of the Multi-Partner Complex Risk Analytics Fund - a financing instrument intended to better anticipate, prevent, and respond to complex risks in fragile and conflict-affected settings. Underscoring the need to redouble efforts to protect the Organization's normative frameworks, he said its universal norms are under attack around the world, with human rights conventions being systematically violated in Afghanistan, Syria and elsewhere. The Council itself has become a stage for spreading disinformation, which must end.
Lebanon's representative said that, to address the root causes of crises that undermine international peace and security, the Council must mobilize a wide range of actors to build peace. "All too often - and for too long - palliative care has been chosen over treatment" for crises and conflicts, he said, underscoring that this is not enough to achieve permanent solutions. Ambitious national plans produced through inclusive processes frequently cannot be implemented due to a lack of resources, he pointed out, calling on the United Nations to mobilize adequate financing to support such plans.
Kenya's representative, pointing to the short supply of trust at the United Nations, said the Council is suffering the greatest trust deficit of all. Existing pen-holding should be shared with non-permanent members, specifically Africa files with African pens and co-penholders. This does not require elaborate reform and can be implemented in January 2024 and beyond. Trust will be increased if Member States ensure that the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) acts on the financing for the peacebuilding resolution of September 2022, he added.
India's representative asked if the Council can be deemed inclusive in denying permanent representation to entire continents such as Africa and Latin America. The Council must be more representative of developing countries if it is to continue engendering trust and confidence in its ability to provide leadership to the entire world, she stressed. Beyond giving a voice to the voiceless, it should respect regional approaches and work with regional organizations to address peacebuilding challenges.
Dimitar Kovačevski, Prime Minister of North Macedonia, recalled his country's experience in times of war in the region, highlighting that 30 years later, it serves as an example for how to solve issues at home and with its neighbours. The ongoing military aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine has changed global relations, he pointed out, underscoring the need to recommit to the Charter of the United Nations, which was intended to avoid atrocities of war. The Secretary-General's New Agenda for Peace must be used to create conditions for united action, he said, stressing the urgent need for peace.
The meeting began at 10:03 a.m., suspended at 1:15 p.m., resumed at 3:01 p.m. and ended at 6:53 p.m.
Briefings
CYNTHIA CHIGWENYA, Youth Ambassador for Peace for Southern Africa, African Union, said she graduated as a top-performing student in development studies and secured a scholarship at a think tank in South Africa. Detailing her further professional engagements, she noted that one of the key challenges of her time - unemployment - was no longer applicable to her. Selected by the African Union, she currently represents one of five regions of the African continent, while promoting topics related to immigration, peace and security and advocating for development of national action plans. Notwithstanding progress that has been made, she lamented that youth participation in formal peacebuilding is impaired by limited financial resources for youth initiatives; weak organizational and technical capacities; and limited evidence-based approaches, among others. Stereotypes of addressing young people as "inexperienced" also limit their inclusion in conflict mediation, she noted, adding that preconceived perceptions of youth as "instigators of violence" hinder intergenerational collaboration.
The war in Ukraine and the conflict in Sudan provide the Security Council with an opportunity to set a course for action, she stressed, suggesting reviewing operationalization of inclusion and investing in youth networks in decision-making processes. "I am testament to that this morning," she pointed out, adding that young people should be co-creators of the international agenda. Turning to technological advancements to combat hate speech and disinformation, she said the "Mission 55" game was developed to inform and educate young people using conflict scenarios; conflict resolution processes; and post-conflict reconstruction. While encouraging young people to be stakeholders in development processes, she highlighted their dwindling trust in institutions and called for making these institutions more inviting for young people. She further cited Martin Luther King, Jr., stating: "Those that prioritize peace must be ready and even more determined to organize as effectively as those who love war."
VOLKER TÜRK, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, briefing the Council via videoconference from Nairobi, said: "Full compliance with human rights is the best antidote to the inequalities, unaddressed grievances and exclusion, which are often at the root of instability and conflict." Trust is the core of peaceful relations between and among human beings and of the social contract between people and State institutions. People trust the authorities when they can be relied upon to advance their economic, social, civil, political and cultural freedoms, their right to development, and to deliver justice. As such, trust is the foundation of conflict prevention and of sustainable peace, he said, stressing that human rights are essential at every stage of the peace continuum.
The human rights lens provides early warning and points to targeted preventive action, he continued, adding that clear indicators are crucial to detecting the drivers of conflict and addressing them. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is strengthening its work on human rights indicators and data in relation to peace and security, developing solid indicators on killings and violence against human rights defenders, civil society and media, as well as conflict-related deaths. Taking the crisis in Haiti as an example, he said early warning signals pointed persistently to the destructive impact of inequalities, corruption and exclusion on both trust and stability. The Council responded to the crisis in Haiti with an arms embargo and targeted sanctions. However, more action is urgently needed now. The State's lack of capacity to fulfil human rights has completely eroded people's confidence, he said, stressing the need for a time-bound, specialized and human rights-compliant support force for Haiti's institutions, with a comprehensive action plan.
When conflict has broken out, the human rights perspective brings focus to the impact on people, he continued. Noting the full-blown conflict in Sudan and recent actions by the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces, which have placed civilians at acute risk, he condemned both parties' trampling on the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution. Sudan's future depends on building trust between the country's people and the institutions that are supposed to serve them. Human rights, an end to impunity, and participation by the population, particularly women and young people, must be the driving forces out of the current crisis so that Sudan can stabilize at last.
The full range of human rights standards are equally crucial in bringing conflict to a close and establishing sustainable peace, he emphasized. In particular, the human rights principles of accountability, non-discrimination and participation are essential to build trust and sustain peace. Participation in an open civic space - importantly, by women and girls, by minority groups and by young people - builds deeper, broader trust in institutions, he added. The Council has heard many powerful witnesses of the contributions that women bring to ending violence and building peace, he recalled, stressing that women must also participate in the implementation of peace agreements.
Noting that today is World Press Freedom Day, he underscored the importance of such freedom and the protection of journalists in nourishing accountable governance. In Colombia, for example, participation and other core human rights principles have been crucial to building trust. The Havana process' inclusion of strong elements of dialogue and inclusion ensured a comprehensive blueprint for long-lasting peace, he said, noting continuing efforts to address deep-rooted structural issues around land reform, discrimination and inequality, to advance social and economic progress. In Colombia, as elsewhere, human rights and justice will be the best guides on the longer road towards reconciliation and sustainable peace. He voiced hope that as the United Nations prepares for the Summit of the Future, including a new Agenda for Peace, the Council and all Member States will make effective use of the trust-building potential of human rights in addressing peace and security concerns.
'FUNMI OLONISAKIN, Vice-President and Professor of Security, Leadership and Development, King's College London, stressed that "norms matter" - as do normative frameworks that drive accountability and predictability. Such frameworks also enhance trust because they are widely owned, and she underlined the need to define the terms on which societies can "live well together in dignity". Also of critical importance to futureproofing trust is knowledge that is trusted, available to all and transparently governed. Further, she underscored the need to address an important tension at the core of all this - namely, understanding our world as it ought to be versus how it really is. She therefore urged those present to consider three important realities when working to rebuild trust to sustain peace: uncertainty; distance - between nations, between institutions and most people in the world and between leaders and the led; and the seeming disconnect between science and the agency of institutions and peoples - particularly future peoples. The international community must consider how to proactively engage this tension without reverting to "business as usual", she stressed, which has been transactional engagement that neither builds trust nor facilitates peace.
She went on to note that it is known that advances in science and technology will be critical drivers of war and peace in the future, also determining where power lies, who has agency and how such agency is exercised. However, it is unknown how evolutions in this area will change human agency. The sheer speed of scientific and technological breakthroughs is only matched by humanity's inability to understand their implications for society and for war and peace. She therefore underscored the need to imagine the future of peace and war to avoid being overwhelmed by the rapid pace of change; if humanity becomes overwhelmed, its agency is easily lost - "and that is the crux of the matter". Anticipatory methodologies for understanding peace and war in the future must also seek to bring science and people together - especially future people. Connecting scientific breakthroughs with those who will govern the world in 2050 is of vital importance to "circumventing the tyranny of now", she stressed. It is also important to study the way in which such individuals organize, build communities and solve problems, as this will allow examination of an unfolding future through the lens of those who will, inevitably, govern the world in 2050.
As for what this all means for institutions relevant to governing the future of peace and war, "such is the importance of the institution where we are speaking from today", she observed - she said that power hierarchies in institutions reinforce inequalities and maintain a dangerous inequity between the real owners of peace and the distant beholders of it. Notwithstanding the norms and technical solutions institutions provide, they invariably deny agency to the vast majority of future people. Thus, institutions that will be relevant to the future of peace must facilitate an approach today that accommodates multiple futures and enables seamless connection between science and future peoples, across their diversities. This, she said, will allow such peoples to unleash their own agency in the pursuit of peace, connecting a world how it ought to be with how it really is.
Statements
IGNAZIO CASSIS, Federal Councilor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs for Switzerland, Council President for the month, speaking in his national capacity, recounted a recent visit to his old school to speak about foreign policy. The students there only asked him questions about the war in Ukraine and its consequences, which prompted him to remember how, when he was a student at that very school 45 years ago, he and his classmates were convinced that there would never be another war in Europe. Around then, it was believed that globalization, the cold war and economic interdependence would usher in a new era, he recalled, adding: "But today there is still war." This prompted the questions: "How did we get here? And how can we avoid being the ones who failed to react to the current crises?" Emphasizing that while the multilateral system is under stress, it is not bankrupt, he stressed: "The real failure would be to do nothing." Therefore, it is time for the Council to grasp its responsibilities and to reflect on its potential for action in the face of the increasing number of crises, he said, pointing out that the objective of the present debate was to consolidate lasting peace, by rebuilding "the bridges that unite us".
To do so, he underscored the need to ensure the application of a common and respected normative framework, based on human rights and international law. The Council must consider ways to strengthen the foundations of a broader peace architecture, which is inclusive and must include those whom the population has designated as democratically legitimate, he said, stressing: "An imposed peace is not a sustainable peace." Trust is based on concrete facts, he said, pointing out that science and new technologies enable a better anticipation and understanding of today's risks and tomorrow's opportunities, adding: "We must respond to the challenges of the twenty-first century with twenty-first century solutions." Finally, he pointed out that violations of the Charter of the United Nations do not justify the entrenchment of everyone behind their positions, stressing: "On the contrary, let us have the courage to question and rethink this system together, in order to make it better." Therefore, Switzerland welcomes the Secretary-General's New Agenda for Peace, which he will put forth in June.
OMAR BIN SULTAN AL OLAMA, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications of the United Arab Emirates, said that often future generations do not have a voice in policy discussions. Yet every decision made will impact the world they inherit. Inclusion remains critical for peacebuilding, he noted, encouraging participation of women and youth in decision-making and trust-building. Moreover, alignment of peacebuilding efforts across municipal, national, regional, and international spheres could help engage communities, including civil society and the academic and private sectors. As well, strengthening peacebuilding architecture and linking its work with financial institutions could help address climate change, extremism and global public health emergencies. Underscoring the importance of addressing hate speech, racism, intolerance and other manifestations of extremism, he encouraged Council members to address the use and governance of new technological tools. Such instruments could provide accurate and reliable data to counter narratives of intolerance and hate. In addition, data can provide insights into conflicts' root causes. Recalling that the United Arab Emirates has advocated for preventive work, he said that Secretary-General's "Early Warnings for All Initiative" could scale up anticipatory action.
AKIMOTO MASATOSHI, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, said that to achieve resilient peace, a wide range of actors, especially women and youth, must be able to actively participate and be agents of change in their own society. Participation can only take place when people feel secure. Thus, the rule of law must be firmly established, human rights protected, and issues resolved through dialogue. The Council should oversee implementation of its resolutions and work towards mainstreaming the women, peace and security and youth, peace and security agendas. It should also deepen discussions on the rule of law, human security, protection of human rights, and conflict prevention, and reflect the outcomes of those discussions in the mandates of peace operations. By fully utilizing the Peacebuilding Commission's advice, the Council will strengthen the functioning of the whole United Nations. The development of a New Agenda for Peace, which is now under way, is a historic opportunity to revitalize Member States' collective capacity to achieve and sustain peace, he added.
PEDRO COMISSÁRIO AFONSO (Mozambique) said that his country has learned from experience that peace must always be linked to the "umbilical cord" that binds it with development and the search for people's well-being. As the international community strives to build sustained peace, efforts should be directed towards addressing the root causes of conflict and instability - including those related to the delivery of basic goods and services. On this, he underlined the need to support countries in strengthening the resilience of social institutions and in investing in internal and social cohesion. Further, the central role of peacebuilding should be to restore State authority and governance structures, allowing Governments to perform basic functions for the benefit of their peoples. He also stressed that unilateral, distorted world views will not serve peacebuilding, as an environment of inclusivity, fairness and justice at the international level is important for such efforts to prosper around the world. For the United Nations, this means - above all - constructive attention to the Council's agenda. He added that, while private entrepreneurship is important, "narrow economic gains alone" - at the expense of least developed countries and least privileged peoples - can only endanger global peace and perpetuate global instability and turmoil.
FERIT HOXHA (Albania) underscored that the absence of trust can result in violence and conflicts, as borne out by recent tragic events in Sudan. Similarly, the frustrating lack of progress in the political track in Libya is a result of lack of trust among the main actors. A deficit of trust among stakeholders in Haiti has left the country in the claws of gangs. The Council succeeds when it is united in purpose and does not succeed when it is used as a stage for propaganda and the pursuit of narrow interests, as is the case on a number of important issues, including the ongoing war of aggression in Ukraine. Also calling for the link between climate change and security to be recognized, he underscored the need for multilateralism, stressing: "Nothing can justify attempts to go back, to break this trust to the future because someone has remained nostalgic of the past." The shape of the world in the future will be determined by States' ability to respect international law and the Charter by holding transgressors to account, he stressed. He also emphasized the importance of civil society viewpoints, which are rooted in the people's concerns and aspirations and indispensable to get closer to the truth.
CAROLYN OPPONG-NTIRI (Ghana) said the multilateral system remains the best platform for advancing peacebuilding norms. To this end, she highlighted the importance of the interrelated work of the United Nations three pillars and called for leveraging the strength of the Peacebuilding Commission, Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly in deepening the understanding of specific situations. Calling for prioritizing the 2016 Council and Assembly's resolutions on national and regional levels, she also urged States to embrace dialogue and diplomatic actions to build trust. Underlining the need for regional partnerships and stronger early warning systems, she spotlighted the 2002 African Union Continental Early Warning System and the Economic Community of West African States' (ECOWAS) Early Warning and Response Network. In this regard, she encouraged Council members to invest in non-kinetic measures and adopt a multi-dimensional approach to empower women and youth in conflict prevention and governance. Enhancing the United Nations and the African Union relations and integrating gender perspectives could provide for trust-building, she added, underscoring the importance of the Peacebuilding Fund's adequate resourcing and encouraging States to expand its donor base.
RONALDO COSTA FILHO (Brazil) said the open debate provides an opportunity for reflection on the Council and the Peacebuilding Commission's collaboration, calling for more frequent exchanges between them. Underlining the importance of enhancing trust, he said the Commission should be overseeing the transition process from conflict to development. This would allow the Council to dedicate its attention and resources to threats or breaches of international peace and security. In that regard, the Commission should also be regarded as a full partner. Underscoring the need for subregional cooperation, he said stronger partnerships with international financial institutions could help mobilize resources. To this end, he encouraged the participation of all stakeholders, including local leadership and women, to support inclusivity in peacebuilding processes. Such an approach would lay a foundation for a trust-generating dialogue, he observed, highlighting Mozambique's peace process. While pointing to the widening divisions among Council members, he called on States to rebuild trust and render the 15-nation organ more effective by improving representativeness and transparency through a comprehensive reform.
